4 Chicago Cubs prospects turning heads in spring training

4 Chicago Cubs prospects turning heads in spring training - Hayden Wesneski

As many remember, Hayden Wesneski was acquired via trade last season for Scott Effross at the deadline. Knock on wood, but it appears this was an absolute fleecing by the front office. Credit the front office's ability to scout pitching because Wesneski has all the making of a big-league starter and looks ready to explode this season. Staying below the 50.0 innings threshold, Wesneski will technically enter his rookie campaign in 2023 after a strong showing in which he produced a 2.18 ERA and 0.9 WAR, according to Baseball Reference, in 33 innings pitched last year.

Wesneski's ability to create incredible movement on his five-pitch arsenal makes him someone that can truly step into the limelight this coming season. His upside is sky-high, and although it is too soon to label him the ace-caliber arm that the Cubs so desperately need, if I had to pick, my money is on this guy. He is only 25 years old, with all of his years of team control intact, so if he pans and achieves what many believe he can, he should be in a Cubs uniform for years to come.